dekalb white management guide (1)

last revision: 10/01 Copyright © 2001 by Centurion Poultry Inc . Edition 2002

PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES OF THE DEKALB WHITE EGG LAYER

Growing Period Livability 96-98%

17 Weeks 18 Weeks 19 Weeks 20 Weeks

US (lb)

Metric (kg)

US (lb)

Metric (kg)

US (lb)

Metric (kg)

US (lb)

Metric (kg)

Feed Consumption (Cumulative)

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Body Weight ��

Laying Period Age at 50% Production 143-145 days

Percent Peak Production 94-96%

60 Weeks 72 Weeks 80 Weeks 110 Weeks

Hen Housed Eggs ��

Livability % ��

US (lb)

Metric (kg)

US (lb)

Metric (kg)

US (lb)

Metric (kg)

US (lb)

Metric (kg)

Body Weight ��

Average Egg Weight at:

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HH Egg Mass � ��

Feed/Dozen eggs ��

Kg feed/Kg egg � ��

The DEKALB WHITE egg layer is a docile, easy to manage white egg layer with very high production of uniformly sized, strong-shelled eggs.

The performance goals and specification set forth in no way constitutes a warranty or guarantee expressed or implied of performance, health, merchantability or tolerance to disease.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................................................................. 1

BROODING AND REARING PROGRAM .................................................................................................................................... 2

BROODING TEMPERATURES AND SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR GROWING PERIOD .......................................................................................................2 GOALS.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 ISOLATION AND SANITATION....................................................................................................................................................................................3 PRIOR TO CHICK ARRIVAL .......................................................................................................................................................................................4 DELIVERY DAY .......................................................................................................................................................................................................4 FLOOR BROODING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................4 BEAK TRIMMING .....................................................................................................................................................................................................5 VACCINATION AND DISEASE CONTROL ....................................................................................................................................................................6

FEEDING THE DEKALB WHITE PULLET................................................................................................................................. 7

BODY WEIGHT UNIFORMITY..................................................................................................................................................... 8

MOVING TO THE LAYING HOUSE............................................................................................................................................. 8

RECOMMENDED PULLET FEEDING PROGRAM................................................................................................................... 9

PULLET BODY WEIGHT GRAPH……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...10

PULLET FLOCK PERFORMANCE RECORD .......................................................................................................................... 11

GROWING PERIOD BODY WEIGHTS, FEED & WATER CONSUMPTION ...................................................................... 12

LIGHTING PROGRAM ................................................................................................................................................................. 13

STANDARD LIGHTING PROGRAM ................................................................................................................................................................13 ALTERNATIVE LIGHTING PROGRAM ( < EGG NUMBERS, > EGG SIZE ) .................................................................................... 14

LIGHTING GRAPH...................................................................................................................................................................................................15 LAYING PROGRAM...................................................................................................................................................................... 16

SPACE RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................................................................................................................16 TEMPERATURE.......................................................................................................................................................................................................16 FEEDING PROGRAM ...............................................................................................................................................................................................17 LATE NIGHT FEEDING ............................................................................................................................................................................................17 WATER..................................................................................................................................................................................................................18 LIGHTING ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................18

Intermittent Lighting Program ........................................................................................................................................................................18 MOLTING ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................19

DEKALB WHITE FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS LAYING PERIOD ............................................................................ 20

MINIMUM DAILY INTAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................................. 21

VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION................................................................................................................... 22

DEKALB WHITE DAILY NUTRIENT CONSUMPTION ......................................................................................................... 23

PERFORMANCE GRAPH DEKALB WHITE (US STANDARDS) .......................................................................................... 24

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES DEKALB WHITE (US STANDARDS)................................................................................ 25

PERFORMANCE GRAPH DEKALB WHITE (MOLT) ............................................................................................................ 26

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES DEKALB WHITE (MOLT).................................................................................................. 27

PERFORMANCE GRAPH DEKALB WHITE (METRIC) ........................................................................................................ 28

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES DEKALB WHITE (METRIC).............................................................................................. 29

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The DEKALB WHITE is a docile, feathersexable White Leghorn which produces a large quantity of superior quality eggs with an excellent feed conversion. All this is the result of many years of genetic research. The favorable genetic characteristics can only be achieved when the bird is provided with all its requirements. These include, but are not limited to, good quality feed, good housing, and proper management. The purpose of this Management Guide is to assist the producer in providing the necessities. The information supplied in this publication is based on the analysis of extensive research and field results. Over a period of time, many egg producers have developed their own management program, based on their specific housing-type, climate, feed, market conditions, etc. This approach may also work very well on the DEKALB. Therefore do not hesitate to consider using your own program in conjunction with the guide and in consultation with your DEKALB supplier. WARRANTY DISCLAIMER: The data and recommendations presented in this publication are based upon extensive field observations and in-house test results. The performance goals and specification are presented only as a guide to flock management and do not constitute a warranty or guarantee that equal or similar performance will be achieved. The recommendations set forth in this publication in no way constitute a WARRANTY or GUARANTEE EXPRESSED or IMPLIED OF PERFORMANCE, HEALTH, MERCHANTABILITY or TOLERANCE TO A DISEASE.

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Brooding Temperatures and Space Requirements for Growing Period

Age in Weeks 1 2 3 4 5-17

°F 90-85 85-80 80-75 75-70 70 Temperature

°C 32-29 29-27 27-24 24-21 21

22 22 44 Cage

140 140 285

0.5 0.5 1.0 Floor Space

Floor 20 20 10

In./ Bird 1.0 2.0 Cage

Cm./ Bird 2.5 5.0

In./ Bird 1.5 3.0 Trough

Floor Cm./ Bird 4.0 8.0

Cage Birds/ Pan 24 12

Feeder Space

Pans Floor Birds/ Pan 60 30

Cage 16 8 Cups or

Nipples Floor 24 12

Founts Floor

Birds/ unit

100 50

In./ Bird 0.5 1.0

Drinker Space

Trough Floor Cm./ Bird 1.25 2.5

Note: Brooding temperatures are at chick level, not caretaker’s eye level!

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Goals This period (0-17 weeks) is, by far, the most critical time of a bird’s life. Errors made during this time are very difficult to overcome. One should strive to achieve the target body weight with good uniformity in a properly vaccinated flock. To assist in reaching these goals, the following recommendations have been developed through research, field experience, and currently accepted field practices.

Isolation and Sanitation The most effective way to reduce the negative impact of disease causing pathogens on the growth and subsequent performance of a flock is to avoid exposure to these organisms. A sound sanitation program and effective isolation plans are instrumental in achieving this goal. Sanitation should begin with removal of all organic matter from the previous flock. Organic matter includes live and dead chickens, rodents, manure, feathers, etc. Growing birds on built-up litter is not recommended at any time. Dry cleaning should be done as soon as possible after the old flock is removed. Down time is very beneficial in allowing pathogens to die naturally. The dry cleaning should include the walls, rafters, ceiling, feed bins and other feed equipment, fans, vents, watering system, cages, etc. After dry cleaning has been completed, all surfaces should be washed with high-pressure washing and an approved surfactant containing detergent. Following this wash down, apply a sanitizing agent approved for use in poultry houses. The sanitizing agent chosen should be broad spectrum in its activity and used according to manufacturer’s directions. If allowed, fumigation of the house using an approved fumigant can also be used after returning all equipment to the house. Any equipment removed should be cleaned and disinfected prior to replacement. Isolation of the house is vitally important to reduce the possibility of introducing a disease organism into a clean house environment. People traffic constitutes the largest threat to isolation and introduction of disease causing agents. Ideally, shower facilities and farm clothing are available for all employees and necessary visitors. If this is not possible, visitors should be limited to those that are necessary and they should be required to wear clean coveralls, new plastic or cleaned rubber boots, and hair covering. Disinfectant footbaths should be present at the entranceway to each house and should be replenished with fresh disinfectant daily. Doors should be kept locked at all times to prevent unwanted, improperly attired visitors from entering. “No Trespassing” signs should be prominently displayed on the doors and “Bio-security Zone” signs should be displayed at the farm entrance to warn visitors that they are entering a bio-secure area. Remembering that people spread many diseases from farm to farm will help to encourage less people traffic to and from farms.

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Prior to Chick Arrival

1. All equipment, including cages, brooders, interior surfaces of the building, and any other equipment used should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. 2. All mechanical equipment, feeders, fans, curtains, etc. should be tested and brought into good working condition. 3. Rodent control programs should be strictly enforced when the house is cleaned and empty. The use of baits, tracking powders, and any other control method available should be implemented. 4. Feed from previous flock should be removed and the feed bins, troughs, hoppers, and chains or augers cleaned and dried before the delivery of new feed. 5. Raise the house temperature to 85-90 °F (29-32 °C) at least 24 hours prior to chick arrival to ensure the equipment is also warm. The desired relative humidity should be greater than 60%. This humidity level should be maintained for at least three weeks. 6. Set light clocks to 23 hours day length with a light intensity as high as possible. If shadows are being cast onto any drinkers/nipples , the use of droplights is suggested to eliminate these shadows.

7. Trigger nipples to ensure that they are in working order and set at the proper height.

Delivery Day 1. Encourage the chicks to drink as soon after delivery as possible.

2. Watch chicks for signs of overheating (panting and listlessness) or chilling (huddling and chirping). Adjust temperatures as needed. Remember that chicks that have traveled long distances are thirstier and will drink more water in a short period of time. This will lower the body temperature of the chick and could result in chilling of the chick. Slightly higher house temperatures may be necessary under these circumstances.

3. Use minimum ventilation rates to ensure fresh air and the dilution of pathogens.

Floor Brooding Brooding chicks on the floor creates certain challenges that need to be addressed. Drafts in a floor house tend to have more effect on the chicks than drafts in a cage house. Drafts should be eliminated to prevent piling and chilling of the chicks. Temperatures under the brooders should be at 90 °F (32 °C) when the chicks arrive. Place no more than 500 chicks under a 6- foot brooder and no more than 750 under an eight-foot brooder. Observe the chicks for comfort in the brooder area. If they are cool, they will huddle under the brooder stove. If they are hot they will try to get as far away from the stove as possible. When comfortable, the chicks will be dispersed throughout the brooder ring area.

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Beak Trimming It is preferred that all pullets are beak trimmed to ensure better livability, less feather pulling, and better feed conversion. There are many different beak-trimming programs that are used successfully throughout the world. The following are examples of programs proven to work well on the DEKALB layers.

1). Single beak trim at the hatchery. This procedure is not commonly done. It generally increases the stress on the baby chick and could result in higher early chick mortality and lower uniformity. If a second trim is needed, the advantages of this early trim are eliminated. This program is used on small flocks, flocks delivered short distances, and flocks in environments with complete light control and excellent management. 2). Single beak trim at 7 – 10 days. This is commonly used in open-sided pullet houses where the layers are placed in light-controlled environments or where the birds are raised and will lay in light controlled environments. 3). Single beak trim at 5 – 7 weeks. This program is commonly used in areas where pullets are raised in light-controlled environments and will produce in environments with some light leakage. 4). Double beak trimming. This program is used is areas where the pullets are raised in non-light controlled environments and will lay in non-light controlled environments. This program usually involves trimming when the pullets are 7 – 10 days of age and again at 7 – 10 weeks of age To reduce the bleeding associated with trimming of the beaks, withdraw feed from the pullets 12

hours prior to trimming and give the birds Vitamin K in the water two days before and two days after trim. Be certain to raise the depth of the feed available to the chicks after trimming to reduce the re-injury of the beak from hitting metal chains or augers. Up to 10 days of age, a Precision beak trimmer with the guide plate holes of 4.3, 4.7, and 5.0 mm, can be used. Trim the beaks 2-mm from the nostril for the early trim. The beak length should be 4 mm for the trims that occur after 2 weeks of age. A blade temperature of 1,300 °F (between 700- 800 °C) and a cam speed of 2 seconds should provide optimum results. Avoid beak trimming pullets which are sick or under severe stress.

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Vaccination and Disease Control We have discussed the best method of disease control above in the Isolation and Sanitation section. Ideally, we can prevent disease by eliminating the exposure to a disease-causing agent. Since we know that preventing the exposure of birds to certain disease agents is virtually impossible or highly unlikely, we must use a vaccination program that will provide protection against the disease to which exposure is likely. The diseases to which flocks may be exposed vary throughout the world and therefore you should consult with a veterinary professional familiar with the particular disease exposure conditions in your locality. In most of the world, Marek’s Disease, Newcastle Disease, Infectious Bronchitis, Infectious Bursal Disease, Fowl Pox, Laryngotracheitis and Avian Encephalomyelitis are widespread, and require routine vaccination. The following is a typical vaccination program:

1 day (In hatchery) Marek’s Disease SubQ or IM Injection 18 days Newcastle/Bronchitis Water Infectious Bursal Disease Water 28 days Infectious Bursal Disease Water 35 days Newcastle/Bronchitis Water or Spray 56-70 days Newcastle/Bronchitis Water or Spray AE/Fowl Pox Wing Web Laryngotracheitis Eyedrop 91-98 days Newcastle/Bronchitis Spray or Inject

This is a sample vaccination program and is not intended to replace current vaccination programs being used successfully. Contact your local DEKALB sales/service person for more information or assistance in developing a vaccination program for your particular flock. Birds that are sick or under stress should not be vaccinated. Vaccines varying in pathogenicity, route of administration, and timing of administration. Always refer to manufacturer recommendations prior to using any vaccine or designing a vaccination program.

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The goal of managing the DEKALB WHITE is to attain the greatest number of eggs in the desired

weight range at the most efficient cost per dozen or per pound of egg mass. To attain this goal, birds should be fed correctly during both the growing and egg production phases.

The DEKALB WHITE should be started and maintained on a feed program that provides all the known required nutrients for growth and sexual development. The objective is to be certain that pullet reaches the target body weight during each week of growth. Uniformity of body weight is also critical to achieving the goals of efficient and high production. The rations used must be adequate to achieve the targeted body weights and uniformity under normal environmental conditions. Should over-crowding, disease challenges, high temperatures, poor ventilation, etc., stress the birds, a more dense ration may be required to attain the desired results. Always keep your nutritionist or feed company informed of these stresses and the flock’s feed consumption level so that appropriate adjustments can be made to the formulas.

The feeds used should contain all the essential amino acids, vitamins, energy, and other non-energy nutrients. Body weight measurements of the pullets should be taken beginning at about six weeks of age and taken every two weeks thereafter. The recommended ration for the first six weeks of the birds’ life is a Starter ration (See table). If at the end of six weeks of age, the birds are at the target body weight (395 grams or 0.87 lbs.), the ration can be changed to a Grower ration. If, however, the body weights are low, the flock should remain on a starter ration until the 6-week target body weight is attained.

The Grower ration is designed to be fed from 7 weeks of age to 10 weeks of age. If the flock has continued to grow normally and has reached target body weights, with good uniformity, the flock should be moved to a Developer I ration at 11 weeks of age.

The Developer ration is designed to allow for the rapid body weight growth that occurs at this age. If the flock is not achieving the targets for body weights, adjustments should be made in the nutrient levels of the feed to achieve these goals. This is why monitoring of a flock’s body weight is very important. At 16 weeks change birds to developer II rations if body weight is on target. This diet is designed to meet calcium requirements with minimum production stimulation. Insure the birds are fed peak rations at least 7-10 days prior to the first eggs.

All pullet feeds should be fed ad libitum or without restrictions. If body weights are below target due to too low feed intake as a result of hot weather, an additional feeding during the dark period can be given. Turn the lights on for about 45 minutes during which time the feeding system is activated. Midnight feeding has to be stopped once bodyweight and/or feed intake turns back to normal.

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The goal for flock uniformity is that at least 80% of the birds should be within 10% above or below

the average body weight for that flock. For example, you weigh 115 birds individually. This should be done using a scale that is in increments of no more than 50 grams (Preferably 20-25 grams). The average weight is 1050 grams for the birds weighed. Thus the 10% cutoff above and below target includes the birds that weigh between 945 grams and 1155 grams. If 95 birds weighed between these limits, the uniformity of the flock would be about 83%. Although good uniformity in no way guarantees good layer performance, it does indicate that the pullet-growing program is adequate. Water

An adequate supply of clean potable water is essential for the flock. Water is the most essential nutrient provided to the flock and should not be ignored or taken for granted. Water testing should be performed to ensure that the water supply is clean prior to placing the flock.

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Pullets that are ready to be moved should be without feed for approximately 6 to 8 hours prior to loading. This practice will provide cleaner layers going into the lay house and will also ease the transition to new equipment by making the birds more eager for feed and water. For flocks that will be in transit for more than 20 hours, the feed withdrawal period prior to loading can be reduced. Best results will be attained when the pullets are moved at 17 weeks of age. Due to the potential body weight loss associated with moving, body weights taken immediately after moving should not be considered an accurate reflection of the pullet flock’s condition. The laying house should be cleaned and disinfected and water lines sanitized prior to moving in the new flock. Vitamins and electrolytes are often used to reduce the stress associated with the move. The birds should be handled as gently as practical to prevent broken bones and rupture of yolks inside the birds’ abdomens. Light intensity should be kept high for the first few days after housing to ensure that the flock can find feed and water. Reduce the intensity to the recommended level once the birds are on feed and water and follow the recommended lighting and feeding program.

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Starter (0-6 weeks)

Grower (7-10 weeks)

Developer I (11-15 weeks)

Developer II * (16 -17 weeks)

Crude Protein (%) 20 18 16 15

ME (Kcal/lb.) 1360 1340 1320 1310

ME (kcal/kg) 3000 2950 2910 2890

Linoleic Acid % 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2

Methionine % 0.45 0.4 0.36 0.36

M + C % 0.8 0.72 0.65 0.63

Lysine % 1.1 1 0.88 0.80

Arginine % 1.2 1.1 1 0.95

Tryptophan % 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.16

Threonine % 0.75 0.7 0.6 0.55

Calcium % 1 1 1 2.25

av. Phosphorus % 0.5 0.48 0.45 0.45

Sodium (%) 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.18

* Note: The Developer II diet should be discontinued and a layer ration used 7 – 10 days prior to first egg!

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0

250

500

750

1000

1250

1500

1750

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Age in Weeks

Bod

y W

eigh

t (g)

(lb)

3.75 3.52

3.30

3.09

2.87

2.65

2.43

2.20

1.98

1.76

1.54

1.32

1.10

0.88

0.66

0.44

0.22


DEKALB WHITE PULLET FLOCK PERFORMANCE RECORD Name: Hatch Date: Address: Date (17 weeks): Hatchery: No. Chicks: Started Housed Mortality Lighting Feed Intake

W Day Total Actual Goal E Cumm. E For To Date Goal On Off Week Total Per Day /bird Hsd K Week Total % % AM PM Hours grams lb/100 kg lb 1 0.7 1.00 23.00 22.00 8 1.8 0.1 0.1 2 1.2 2.00 22.00 20.00 13 2.9 0.1 0.3 3 1.5 3.00 21.00 18.00 20 4.4 0.3 0.6 4 1.7 4.00 20.00 16.00 26 5.7 0.5 1.0 5 1.8 31 6.8 0.7 1.5 6 1.9 36 7.9 0.9 2.1 7 2.0 39 8.6 1.2 2.7 8 2.1 42 9.3 1.5 3.3 9 2.2 45 9.9 1.8 4.0

10 2.3 48 10.6 2.2 4.8 11 2.4 51 11.2 2.5 5.5 12 2.5 54 11.9 2.9 6.4 13 2.6 57 12.6 3.3 7.3 14 2.7 60 13.2 3.7 8.2 15 2.8 63 13.9 4.2 9.2 16 2.9 66 14.6 4.6 10.2 17 3.0 70 15.4 5.1 11.3

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BODY WEIGHT NUTRITION

Body Weight Kcal Protein Age % within Goal Goal Age Suggest Actual Sugg.

weeks Actual + 10% grams Lbs weeks Actual kg lb % % 1 1 3000

1360 21

2 2 3000 1360 21 3 3 3000 1360 21 4 250 0.55 4 2950 1340 19 5 320 0.71 5 2950 1340 19 6 395 0.87 6 2950 1340 19 7 475 1.05 7 2950 1340 19 8 560 1.23 8 2950 1340 19 9 650 1.43 9 2910 1320 16

10 735 1.62 10 2910 1320 16 11 820 1.81 11 2910 1320 16 12 905 2.00 12 2910 1320 16 13 980 2.16 13 2910 1320 16 14 1060 2.34 14 2910 1320 16 15 1130 2.49 15 2910 1320 16 16 1190 2.62 16 2890 1310 15 17 1250 2.76 17 2890 1310 15


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Body Weights Feed Consumption Water Consumption

Lbs./100 Lbs./bird Grams Age in Weeks Lbs. Grams

Daily Cumul. Daily Cumul.

Gallons/ 100 birds

Liters/ 100 birds

1 1.8 .013 8 56 0.44 1.70

2 2.9 0.33 13 147 0.71 2.70

3 4.4 0.64 20 287 1.07 3.95

4 0.55 250 5.7 1.03 26 469 1.39 5.28

5 0.71 320 6.8 1.52 31 686 1.66 6.31

6 0.87 395 7.8 2.07 35 931 1.90 7.22

7 1.05 475 8.7 2.68 39 1204 2.12 8.01

8 1.23 560 9.3 3.33 42 1498 2.32 8.82

9 1.43 650 9.9 4.02 45 1820 2.46 9.35

10 1.62 735 10.6 4.77 48 2156 2.63 9.99

11 1.81 820 11.2 5.55 51 2513 2.78 10.56

12 2.00 905 11.9 6.38 54 2891 2.95 11.21

13 2.16 980 12.6 7.26 57 3290 3.12 11.86

14 2.34 1060 13.2 8.18 60 3710 3.24 12.31

15 2.49 1130 13.9 9.15 63 4151 3.41 12.96

16 2.62 1190 14.3 10.16 66 4613 3.51 13.30

17 2.76 1250 15.4 11.23 70 5103 3.58 13.60

18 2.86 1295 16.5 12.86 75 5628 3.66 13.90

19 2.97 1345 18.1 13.65 82 6202 4.15 15.80

20 3.14 1400 19.6 15.02 89 6825 4.39 16.68

Note: This data assumes the use of a moderate energy, corn/soy based diet and temperatures of 72°F (22°C) after brooding. Significant variations from these conditions could result in higher feed consumption or slower body weight gain. Feed quality and nutrient levels can have a profound impact on the weights achieved.

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The onset of egg production is stimulated by many factors, the most important being body weight and an increasing number of daylight hours. In the commercial egg industry, we utilize this knowledge to develop lighting programs, which promote optimal egg numbers, egg size, livability and overall profitability. To optimize the genetic potential of the DEKALB WHITE egg layer, the following basic lighting programs should be followed.

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Age Light Light

Days Week Total Hours Intensity (10 lux = 1 fc) 1 – 3 1 23 20 lux 4 – 7 22 10-20 lux

8 – 14 2 18 10 lux 15 – 21 3 16 5-10 lux 22 – 28 4 16 5 lux 29 – 35 5 14 5 lux 36 – 42 6 12 5 lux

43 – 119 7-17 10 *1) 5 lux 2.76lb (1250 gm) b.w. *2) + 17/18 11 5 lux

+ 7 days + 18/19 12 5 lux *3) + 14 days + 19/20 13 5 lux

Increasing by ½ hour each week to 16 hrs *4) 5 lux

*1) If the birds are grown in a house with light leakage, then the minimum hours in growing should be the maximum outside day length between 43 and 119 days of age.

*2) Do not stimulate before 17 weeks of age. Stimulation should not take place more than 7 days prior to moving the birds to the layer house. If the birds are not moved until later then stimulation should be 7 days prior to moving. The birds should be housed at 16-17 weeks of age and no later than 18 weeks of age.

*3) Light intensity should be increased to 10 lux after the birds are moved to the layer house. When they have found the feed and water, intensity should be reduced to the level on which they were grown.

*4) In layer houses with light leakage, the maximum hours should be increased to the maximum hours of outside daylight that the birds will be exposed to during lay. Never expose layers to decreasing day length during the lay period.

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( < EGG NUMBERS, > EGG SIZE)

Age Light Light

Days Week Total Hours Intensity (10 lux = 1 fc) 1 – 3 1 23 20 lux 4 – 7 22 10-20 lux

8 – 14 2 20 10 lux 15 – 21 3 19 5-10 lux 22 – 28 4 18 5 lux 29 – 35 5 17 5 lux 36 – 42 6 16 5 lux 43 – 49 7 15 5 lux 50 – 56 8 14 5 lux

57 – 126 9 – 18 12 *1) 5 lux *2) 127 – 133 *3) 19 13 5 lux

Increasing by ½ hour each week to 16 hrs *4) 5 lux

*1) If the birds are grown in a house with light leakage, then the minimum hours in growing should be the maximum outside day length between 43 and 140 days of age.

*2) Light intensity should be increased to 10 lux after the birds are moved to the layer house. When they have found the feed and water, intensity should be reduced to the level on which they were grown.

*3) Stimulation should not take place more than 7 days prior to moving the birds to the layer house. If the birds will not be moved until later then stimulation should be 7 days prior to moving. If the flock has not reached 1% production before 135 days of age, and it is within body weight target, then increase to 13 hours at that time. The birds should be housed at 16-17 weeks of age and no later than 18 weeks of age.

*4) In layer houses with light leakage, the maximum hours should be increased to the maximum hours of outside daylight that the birds will be exposed to during lay. Never expose layers to decreasing day length during the lay period.

To achieve the maximum genetic potential of the DEKALB WHITE, high light intensity is not required. The DEKALB WHITE will lay adequately on dim lights, once they have been able to find the feed and water.

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Lighting Graph

DEKALB WHITE Lighting Programs

0

4

8

12

16

20

24

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Age in Weeks

Hou

rs o

f Lig

ht

Standard<Eggs>Size


�� The DEKALB WHITE has excellent performance capabilities. The following management recommendations will assist the producer in achieving the optimum performance results

Space Recommendations

The DEKALB WHITE is bred to tolerate the challenges of various housing conditions. In general, there is a “happy medium” in regards to how much space a bird needs. The initial investment in housing and equipment is reduced when less space is allocated for each bird. Too little space will reduce performance. Too much space, on the other hand, may result in higher energy costs for warming the building, and over consumption of feed may occur, etc. MINIMUM OPTIMUM U.S. Metric U.S. Metric

Cage Space 54 Sq. in/ bird 350 Sq. cm/ bird

72 Sq. in/ bird *

465 Sq. cm/ bird

Floor 1.25 Sq. ft./ bird

8.5 birds/ Sq. m 7 birds/

Sq. m Feeder Space 3 in./ bird 7.6 cm./bird 4 in./bird * 10 cm./bird

Water 1 cup or nipple/ 8 birds Access to 2 units/ cage * As per the recommendations issued by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Animal Welfare for United Egg Producers (UEP).

Temperature

Although the laying hen can tolerate a wide range of temperature and still perform well, excessive

fluctuations in environmental temperatures are detrimental to productivity and efficiency. The ideal house temperature is between 70-75°F (21-24°C) at the beginning of production and slowly increasing as the bird ages. Temperatures below 54°F (12°C) and above 82°F (28°C) will negatively affect performance. Cooler house temperatures will lead to higher egg size and more feed consumption. Warmer house temperatures, can slow egg size increase and limit feed consumption early in lay, but can be utilized later in lay to control feed consumption and prevent excessive egg size. It is necessary to maintain good air quality at all times.

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Feeding Program

The DEKALB WHITE laying hen should be allowed to consume feed ad libitum until the flock reaches its maximum egg mass output or the desired case weight has been achieved. Feeders should allow for access to feed throughout the morning and evening hours. NO harm is done when the flock is allowed to clean the troughs during the middle part of the day. Body weights are an excellent tool to help determine if feed consumption for the flock is adequate for production and growth. Body weights should continue to increase, although very slowly, throughout the laying cycle. Decreasing body weights should be viewed as an indication that nutrient intake has not been adequate and production may soon suffer. Many nutrition programs successfully utilize the reduction of protein and amino acid density of the diets with increased envirnmental temperature later in the life of a flock to control egg size and maximize profits. The feeding program that follows is a general guideline and should not be viewed as the only correct feeding program to use on the DEKALB layer. A Professional Nutritionist is available to help modify the requirements for your situation, if that need should arise.

Late Night Feeding

During times of very hot weather when the flock is not consuming adequate feed to maintain egg production and/or egg size, a feeding during the night has been shown to be beneficial.

About 3-4 hours after the lights go out, preferably during the cooler part of the night, and half way of the dark period, the lights should be turned on for one hour. During this time the feeders should be run to stimulate feed consumption. The feeders should run a complete cycle to ensure that all birds have adequate access to additional fresh feed. Once the weather cools off and production and egg size return to normal, the midnight feeding can be removed without harming the flock. Use this program ONLY to correct significant variation from the expected.

17


Water

Sufficient drinking water of good quality must be provided. Test the water from a well before using the water for poultry. Water systems should be checked daily and water consumption records should be maintained. Water consumption and feed consumption are excellent indicators of flock health.

After housing young pullets in a layer house, be certain that the birds are using the nipples or cups. Air locks in water lines, shadows on the drinkers, and placement of drinkers outside the cage can result in the flock not getting sufficient water. This could result in poor performance and ultimately in higher than desired mortality. Installing water meters and keeping records of daily water consumption allows for early detection of problems, which may occur. As a general rule of thumb, at normal house temperatures (68-82o F / 20-28oC) birds will consume twice as much water as feed consumed.

Lighting

Follow the lighting program as described under the GROWOUT section. Be certain that the lighting program setup is synchronized with the lighting program used in the pullet house. Day length hours should never be decreased in the layer house unless molting a flock. If necessary, the maximum day length can be extended to 18 hours.

Intermittent Lighting Program Intermittent lighting programs have been developed over the years to assist the producer when feed

consumption is excessive, egg size is too large, electrical costs are very high, or when pecking mortality and feather loss are a problem. These programs have also been utilized in extremely hot weather to reduce heat generated by bird activity and thereby reducing heat stress mortality.

The most commonly used intermittent lighting program is one that entails dividing each daylight hour into light and dark segments. This program is normally instituted over a period of five weeks and should not be initiated before a flock reaches 35 weeks of age. The first two hours of the day and the last two hours of the day should remain unchanged (have no dark periods). The remaining hours of the day are initially altered to contain 15 minutes of darkness followed by 45 minutes of light. Maintain this change for two weeks to allow the flock to adjust to the added dark periods. The next change alters these daylight hours to 30 minutes of darkness followed by 30 minutes of light. Again maintain this adjustment for two weeks. The final stage of the intermittent lighting program entails each hour of the day (except the first two hours and the last two hours) be divided to be 15 minutes of light and 45 minutes of darkness. The night hours never change during this program, as the birds recognize the longest continuous period of darkness as the day length.

Another method of intermittent lighting is referred to as the block lighting program and entails taking two segments of light out of each day. This program is available from the DEKALB Technical Support Department.

18


Molting

Although the DEKALB WHITE is bred to provide good quality eggs for an entire extended lay cycle, some producers prefer to molt flocks. Molting is a program used by some producers in the U.S., but is uncommon in the rest of the world. If a molting program is planned, a common age for scheduling the molt program is between 64 and 70 weeks of age. Keep in mind, that the earlier that the flock is molted, the higher the second cycle peak. The following is a basic molting program for reference.

Before beginning a molt, weigh 100 birds in marked cages as a reference to the flocks average body weight. One week prior to instituting the molt, the day length should be increased to 24 hours and the diet should contain approximately 5.0% - 5.5% Calcium in the form of large particle, good quality limestone or oyster shell. House temperatures should be raised to as high as 90°F while maintaining good air quality. House temperatures that are too low may result in higher than desired mortality and poor post-molt performance due to the rapid weight loss and shorter rest period.

On day zero, remove the feed and reduce the day length to 9 hours or natural day length. Do not feed the flock until the body weight is down to 2.5lb or 28-30% of the weight has been lost. Many programs allow the use of free-choice oyster shell or limestone during the first few days of the fasting period. This has been found to be a successful method to reduce Calcium depletion mortality during the molt. Daily weighing of the sample birds is necessary to be certain that the appropriate amount of weight is lost. It may be necessary to begin every other day feeding prior to achieving the desired weight loss due to mortality. A rule of thumb for mortality is to begin some feeding if the daily mortality exceeds 0.1% for two consecutive days.

Begin skip-a-day feeding when body weight reaches the desired level or mortality dictates. The feed to use is a 16% Crude Protein and 2% Calcium pre-lay type ration. This can be fed every other day until day 25 of the molt or at a rate of about 10lb/100 birds until day 25. Body weights will increase slowly during this time, but no more than 0.1lb/week should be allowed. On day 26, begin full feeding a 15% Crude Protein ration with 3.5% Calcium and increase the day length to 14 hours until the first eggs are laid. At this point, feed the normal Phase II ration. When the flock reaches 50% production, increase the day length to 16 hours.

19


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RATION PHASE I (PEAKING DIET) PHASE II PHASE III PHASE IV

Age Range 18-36 Weeks 37-52 Weeks 53-65 Week 65+ Weeks

Feed Cons. Range

21-22 lbs/100 95-100 grams/bird

21.5-22.5 lbs/100 97-102 grams/bird

22-23 lbs/100 100-105 grams/bird

22-23 lbs/100 100-105 grams/bird

Egg Prod. Range >93% 92-87% 86-80% <80%

ME (kcal/lb.) 1310 1300 1295 1295

ME (kcal/kg.) 2890 2865 2855 2855

CP % 18.00 17.50 16.50 15.00

Calcium % 4.05 4.15 4.25 4.35

Av. Phosphorus % 0.44 0.43 0.40 0.38

Sodium % 0.18 0.17 0.15 0.15

Methionine % 0.45 0.40 0.38 0.35

TSAA % 0.74 0.68 0.65 0.62

Lysine % 0.99 0.93 0.86 0.81

Tryptophan % 0.22 0.20 0.18 0.16

Linoleic Acid % 1.45 1.44 1.30 1.20

Notes:

At least seven to ten days prior to first egg (17 – 18 weeks) feed the Peaking diet. Keep the hens as cool as possible, down to a 24 hour average temperature of 70°F. When egg size reaches 47 lbs/case weight or within 1/2lbs of desired case weight, gradually increase house temperatures to 78°F. Exact house temperatures will vary depending on air quality. Shift to Phase II feed when the egg size reaches the desired case weight, or production decreases below 90%. During the summer months, birds may need to be fed the Peaking diets for a longer period of time. Substitute a minimum of 50% fine granular limestone (16 X 120) U.S. mesh for a minimum limestone particle of 8 X 12 U.S. mesh in the peaking diet and all diets thereafter. All the above diets are based on corn-soy ingredients with no synthetic lysine added. Flocks that are laying at a higher rate than the target, or flocks that are eating less, and are not reaching the egg size goals may need to be fed a diet with higher nutrient density than shown above. The reverse applies, for flocks, which are consuming more than target with an excessive egg size. Always keep your nutritionist informed on flock performance to ensure the appropriate diet is being fed.

20


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�PHASE I

(PEAKING DIET) PHASE II PHASE III PHASE IV

18-36 Weeks 37-52 Weeks 53-65 Week 65+ Weeks

Protein, g/hen 18.2 18.6 17.7 17.2

TSAA, mg/hen 750 760 722 690

Methionine, mg/hen 457 454 426 405

Lysine, mg/hen 966 975 925 885

Tryptophan, mg/hen 227 223 214 203

Calcium, g/hen 4.00 4.29 4.43 4.52

Phosphorus (total), mg/hen 661 685 642 620

Phosphorus (available), mg/hen 430 440 415 400

Sodium, mg/hen 180 183 183 183

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The peaking diet will supply the average quantity of nutrients indicated assuming average feed intake is 21lbs/100 birds/day. Feed intake will vary depending on the house temperature, but do not feed based on feed intake until egg size approaches the desired level. After the desired egg size is obtained, feed Phase II, III, and IV diets based on feed intake to supply the minimum nutrient intake recommended. If average feed intake is approximately 22 to 22.5lbs/100 birds, the recommended nutrient specifications can be used.

21


��

ADD PER TON OF FEED GROWING PERIOD LAYING PERIOD

Selenium (Se) mg 250 250

Iron (Fe) mg 35,000 35,000

Manganese (Mn) mg 70,000 70,000

Copper (Cu) mg 7,000 10,000

Zinc (Zn) mg 70,000 70,000

Iodine (I) mg 1,000 1,000

Vitamin A (Retinol) I.U. 8,000,000 8,000,000

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) I.U. 2,500,000 2,500,000

Vitamin E (Tocopherol) I.U. 10,000 10,000

Vitamin K3 (Menadione) mg 3,000 2,000

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) mg 1,000 1,000

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) mg 5,000 5,000

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) mg 2,000 2,000

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) mg 12 10

Nicotinic Acid (Niacin) mg 30,000 30,000

Panyothenic Acid mg 7,500 7,500

Folic Acid mg 500 500

Choline mg 300,000 300,000

Biotin mg 100 70

1Kcal = 4.184 KJoule / 1 KJoule = 0.239 Kcal.

22


NOTE: The above requirements are based on extensive research under average temperature of about 68°F in the first part of the laying cycle, easing up to about 78°F average temperature at about 35 weeks of age. Because many variances in feed ingredients, climate, health of the birds, etc., above recommendations in no way constitutes a warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied.

DEKALB WHITE MINIMUM Daily Nutrient Requirements/Bird Feed Consumption ME C. Protein Methionine TSAA Lysine Calcium Av. Phos

Age lb/ grams/ Feed/100 bd/day Kcal Grams mg mg Mg Grams mg

18 16.5 75.0 202 13.1 327 327 692 2.82 306

19 18.1 82.0 229 14.7 361 361 760 3.19 347

20 19.6 89.0 242 15.7 391 391 831 3.38 367

21 21.4 97.0 256 16.6 415 415 881 3.58 390

22 21.8 99.0 272 17.5 439 439 932 3.78 412

23 22.1 100.0 282 18.2 456 456 968 3.94 427

24 22.2 100.5 286 18.5 464 464 983 4.00 434

25 22.3 101.0 289 18.6 466 466 992 4.03 438

26 22.4 101.5 291 18.8 469 469 995 4.07 442

27 22.5 102.0 295 19.1 471 471 997 4.11 446

28 22.6 102.3 296 19.2 472 472 1000 4.13 448

29 22.6 102.3 297 19.3 473 473 1001 4.14 450

30 22.6 102.3 297 19.3 474 474 1003 4.15 451

31 22.6 102.5 299 19.3 474 474 1003 4.16 452

32 22.6 102.5 299 19.3 474 474 1003 4.17 452

33 22.6 102.5 300 19.3 474 474 1003 4.18 452

34 22.6 102.7 300 19.3 473 473 1001 4.19 451

35 22.6 102.7 300 19.3 472 472 999 4.20 450

36 22.6 102.7 300 19.2 471 471 996 4.21 449

37 22.7 102.8 301 19.1 469 469 992 4.22 447

38 22.7 102.8 301 19.1 466 466 985 4.23 446

39 22.7 102.8 301 19.0 462 462 979 4.24 445

40 22.7 102.9 301 19.0 459 459 972 4.24 443

41 22.7 102.9 291 18.8 456 456 966 4.25 442

42 22.7 102.9 291 18.8 453 453 963 4.26 441

43 22.7 102.9 291 18.7 450 450 961 4.27 439

44 22.7 102.9 291 18.7 447 447 959 4.28 438

45 22.7 102.9 291 18.6 444 444 956 4.29 437

46 22.7 102.9 291 18.6 441 441 953 4.30 435

47 22.7 102.9 291 18.5 439 439 951 4.31 434

48 22.7 102.9 291 18.5 438 438 948 4.32 432

49 22.7 102.9 291 18.4 436 436 945 4.34 430

50 22.7 102.9 291 18.4 435 435 943 4.34 429

51 22.7 102.9 291 18.3 433 433 940 4.35 428

52 22.7 102.9 291 18.3 432 432 937 4.36 426

53 22.7 102.9 304 18.1 430 430 936 4.37 425

54 22.7 102.9 304 18.1 428 428 933 4.38 424

55 22.7 102.9 304 18.0 426 426 931 4.39 422

56 22.7 102.9 304 18.0 425 425 928 4.40 421

57 22.7 102.9 304 17.9 423 423 925 4.41 419

58 22.7 102.9 304 17.9 422 422 923 4.42 418

59 22.7 102.9 304 17.8 420 420 920 4.43 416

60 22.7 102.9 304 17.8 419 419 917 4.43 415

61 22.7 102.9 304 17.7 417 417 915 4.44 413

62 22.7 102.9 304 17.7 416 416 912 4.45 412

63 22.7 102.9 304 17.6 414 414 911 4.46 410

64 22.7 102.9 304 17.6 413 413 908 4.47 409

65 22.7 102.9 304 17.5 411 411 905 4.48 407

66 22.7 102.9 304 17.5 410 410 903 4.49 406

67 22.7 102.9 304 17.4 408 408 900 4.50 404

68 22.7 102.9 304 17.4 407 407 897 4.51 403

69 22.7 102.9 304 17.3 405 405 895 4.52 401

70 22.7 102.9 304 17.3 404 404 892 4.52 400

71 22.7 102.9 304 17.2 402 402 889 4.53 398

72 22.7 102.9 304 17.2 401 401 887 4.54 397

73 22.7 102.9 304 17.1 399 399 885 4.55 395

74 22.7 102.9 304 17.1 398 398 883 4.56 394

75 22.7 102.9 304 17.0 396 396 880 4.57 392

76 22.7 102.9 304 17.0 394 394 877 4.58 391

77 22.7 102.9 304 16.9 392 392 875 4.59 389 78 22.7 102.9 304 16.9 391 391 872 4.60 388

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NOTE: Above performance objectives are based on actual field results of top performing flocks under excellent management conditions and fed according to the suggested rations in the management guide. Under less favorable management conditions, lower feed quality and temperatures, egg production may be lower and feed intake higher. Decreasing or increasing temperatures in the second half of lay and/or adjusting nutrient levels can achieve a higher or lower egg weight. The performance goals and specifications set forth in no way constitute a WARRANTY or GUARANTEE EXPRESSED or IMPLIED OF PERFORMANCE, HEALTH, MERCHANTABILITY or TOLERANCE TO A DISEASE

JUMBO EXTRA PEEWEE CUM

AGE LIVABI HEN EGGS CASE FEED FEED FEED BODY OVER LARGE UNDER LARGE

IN LITY DAY HEN WEIGHT LBS/ CUM LBS/ WEIGHT AND

WKS % % HOUSED LBS 100 LBS DZN LBS

LARGE MEDIUM SMALL

ABOVE 18 99.9 0.0 0 0.0 16.5 1.6 2.86 0.0 0 1 34 55 10 1.0 19 99.8 3.0 0.2 35.7 18.1 2.8 103.80 2.97 0.0 0 2 45 45 8 1.9 20 99.7 15.0 1.3 36.8 19.6 4.2 32.50 3.11 0.0 0 3 54 38 5 2.7 21 99.6 45.0 4.4 39.0 21.4 5.7 12.90 3.21 0.0 0 4 61 33 2 3.4 22 99.5 78.0 9.8 40.7 21.8 7.2 7.88 3.30 0.0 0 9 68 22 1 5.8 23 99.4 88.0 16.0 42.5 22.1 8.8 6.06 3.36 0.0 1 17 73 9 0 10.0 24 99.3 91.0 22.3 43.8 22.2 10.3 5.18 3.43 0.0 2 30 64 4 0 15.6 25 99.2 92.5 28.7 44.7 22.3 11.9 4.67 3.48 0.0 3 35 60 2 0 20.2 26 99.1 93.7 35.2 45.5 22.4 13.4 4.34 3.53 0.0 6 50 43 1 0 26.3 27 99.0 94.0 41.8 46.4 22.5 15.0 4.11 3.54 0.0 11 57 31 1 0 32.5 28 98.9 94.2 48.3 47.0 22.6 16.5 3.94 3.55 0.5 15 64 20 1 0 38.5 29 98.8 94.3 54.8 47.5 22.6 18.1 3.81 3.56 0.5 18 64 17 1 0 43.5 30 98.7 94.5 61.3 47.9 22.6 19.7 3.70 3.57 1.0 21 64 14 0 0 47.9 31 98.6 94.3 67.9 48.2 22.6 21.2 3.62 3.58 1.0 24 64 11 0 0 51.7 32 98.5 94.2 74.4 48.5 22.6 22.8 3.55 3.59 1.5 27 62 10 0 0 55.0 33 98.4 94.2 80.9 48.8 22.6 24.3 3.49 3.60 1.5 30 60 9 0 0 57.8 34 98.3 94.1 87.3 49.1 22.6 25.9 3.45 3.61 2.0 33 57 8 0 0 60.3 35 98.2 94.0 93.8 49.3 22.6 27.4 3.40 3.62 2.0 36 55 7 0 0 62.5 36 98.1 93.8 100.3 49.6 22.6 29.0 3.37 3.62 2.5 39 52 7 0 0 64.4 37 98.0 93.6 106.7 49.7 22.7 30.5 3.34 3.63 2.5 41 50 7 0 0 66.1 38 97.9 93.4 113.1 49.9 22.7 32.1 3.31 3.63 3.0 43 48 6 0 0 67.7 39 97.8 93.2 119.5 50.0 22.7 33.7 3.29 3.64 3.0 45 47 5 0 0 69.1 40 97.7 93.0 125.8 50.2 22.7 35.2 3.26 3.64 3.5 45 47 5 0 0 70.4 41 97.6 92.6 132.2 50.4 22.7 36.8 3.25 3.65 3.5 46 47 4 0 0 71.6 42 97.5 92.2 138.5 50.4 22.7 38.3 3.23 3.65 4.0 46 47 3 0 0 72.8 43 97.4 91.8 144.7 50.4 22.7 39.9 3.21 3.65 4.0 47 46 3 0 0 73.8 44 97.3 91.4 151.0 50.5 22.7 41.4 3.20 3.65 4.0 47 46 3 0 0 74.7 45 97.2 91.0 157.2 50.5 22.7 42.9 3.19 3.66 5.0 47 45 3 0 0 75.6 46 97.1 90.6 163.3 50.6 22.7 44.5 3.18 3.66 5.0 48 44 3 0 0 76.4 47 97.0 90.1 169.5 50.6 22.7 46.0 3.17 3.66 5.0 48 44 3 0 0 77.2 48 96.9 89.6 175.5 50.7 22.7 47.6 3.16 3.66 6.0 48 44 2 0 0 77.9 49 96.8 89.1 181.6 50.7 22.7 49.1 3.16 3.67 6.0 48 44 2 0 0 78.5 50 96.7 88.6 187.6 50.8 22.7 50.6 3.15 3.67 6.0 49 43 2 0 0 79.2 51 96.6 88.1 193.6 50.8 22.7 52.2 3.14 3.67 7.0 49 42 2 0 0 79.7 52 96.5 87.6 199.5 50.8 22.7 53.7 3.14 3.67 7.0 49 42 2 0 0 80.3 53 96.4 87.1 205.4 50.8 22.7 55.2 3.14 3.68 7.0 50 41 2 0 0 80.8 54 96.3 86.6 211.2 50.8 22.7 56.8 3.13 3.68 8.0 50 40 2 0 0 81.3 55 96.2 86.1 217.0 50.8 22.7 58.3 3.13 3.68 8.0 50 40 2 0 0 71.7 56 96.1 85.5 222.8 50.8 22.7 59.8 3.13 3.68 8.0 51 39 2 0 0 82.1 57 96.0 85.0 228.5 50.8 22.7 61.4 3.13 3.69 9.0 51 38 2 0 0 82.5 58 95.9 84.5 234.2 50.8 22.7 62.9 3.13 3.69 9.0 51 38 2 0 0 82.9 59 95.8 84.0 239.8 50.8 22.7 64.4 3.13 3.69 9.0 51 38 2 0 0 83.3 60 95.7 83.5 245.4 50.8 22.7 65.9 3.13 3.69 9.0 52 37 2 0 0 83.6 61 95.6 83.0 251.0 50.9 22.7 67.4 3.13 3.70 10.0 51 37 2 0 0 83.9 62 95.5 82.5 256.5 50.9 22.7 69.0 3.13 3.70 10.0 51 37 2 0 0 84.2 63 95.4 82.0 262.0 50.9 22.7 70.5 3.13 3.70 10.0 51 37 2 0 0 84.5 64 95.3 81.5 267.4 50.9 22.7 72.0 3.13 3.70 10.0 51 37 2 0 0 84.8 65 95.2 81.0 272.8 50.9 22.7 73.5 3.13 3.72 10.0 52 36 2 0 0 85.1 66 95.1 80.5 278.2 50.9 22.7 75.0 3.13 3.72 10.0 52 36 2 0 0 85.3 67 95.0 80.0 283.5 50.9 22.7 76.5 3.14 3.72 10.0 52 36 2 0 0 85.6 68 94.9 79.5 288.8 50.9 22.7 78.0 3.14 3.72 10.5 52 36 2 0 0 85.8 69 94.8 79.0 294.0 50.9 22.7 79.5 3.14 3.73 10.5 53 35 2 0 0 86.0 70 94.7 78.5 299.2 50.9 22.7 81.0 3.14 3.73 10.5 53 35 2 0 0 86.2 71 94.6 78.0 304.4 50.9 22.7 82.5 3.15 3.73 10.5 53 35 2 0 0 86.5 72 94.5 77.5 309.5 50.9 22.7 84.0 3.15 3.73 10.5 54 34 2 0 0 86.7 73 94.4 77.0 314.6 50.9 22.7 85.5 3.15 3.74 10.5 54 34 2 0 0 86.9 74 94.3 76.5 319.7 50.9 22.7 87.0 3.15 3.74 10.5 54 34 2 0 0 87.0 75 94.2 76.0 324.7 50.9 22.7 88.5 3.16 3.74 10.5 54 34 2 0 0 87.2 76 94.1 75.5 329.7 50.9 22.7 90.0 3.16 3.74 10.5 55 33 2 0 0 87.4 77 94.0 75.0 334.6 50.9 22.7 91.5 3.17 3.75 10.5 55 33 2 0 0 87.6 78 93.9 74.5 339.5 50.9 22.7 93.0 3.17 3.75 10.5 55 33 2 0 0 87.7 79 93.8 74.0 344.4 50.9 22.7 94.5 3.17 3.75 10.5 55 33 2 0 0 87.9 80 93.7 73.5 349.2 50.9 22.7 96.0 3.18 3.75 10.5 55 33 2 0 0 88.0

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DEKALB WHITE Production Goals – Molt Cycle


PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES DEKALB WHITE (MOLT)

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AGE LIVABI HEN EGGS EGG WEIGHT KGS FEED INTAKE FEED FEED FEED CONV BODY WEIGHT

IN LITY DAY HEN LBS GRAMS EGG LBS/ GRAMS CUM CUM LBS/ KGS/ LBS GRAMS

WKS % % HOUSED CASE EGG CUM 100.0 BIRD LBS KGS DZN KGS

60 95.7 83.5 246 50.8 64.0 14.99 22.7 102.9 65.5 29.7 3.13 1.97 3.69 1,675

61 95.6 83.0 251 50.9 64.1 15.34 22.7 102.9 67.0 30.4 3.13 1.97 3.70 1,680

62 95.5 82.5 257 50.9 64.1 15.70 22.7 102.9 68.5 31.1 3.13 1.97 3.70 1,680

63 95.4 82.0 262 50.9 64.1 16.05 22.7 102.9 70.1 31.8 3.13 1.97 3.70 1,680

64 95.3 81.5 268 50.9 64.1 16.40 22.7 102.9 71.6 32.5 3.13 1.97 3.70 1,680

65 95.2 81.0 273 50.9 64.1 16.74 22.7 102.9 73.1 33.1 3.13 1.97 3.72 1,685

66 95.1 80.5 278 50.9 64.1 17.09 22.7 102.9 74.6 33.8 3.13 1.97 3.73 1,690

67 95.0 80.0 284 50.9 64.1 17.43 22.7 102.9 76.1 34.5 3.13 1.97 3.73 1,690

68 94.9 50.0 287 50.9 64.1 17.64 16.3 73.7 77.2 35.0 3.14 1.97 3.73 1,520

69 94.6 0.0 287 0.0 0.0 17.64 0.0 0.0 77.2 35.0 3.14 1.97 3.35 1,300

70 94.2 0.0 287 0.0 0.0 17.64 7.1 32.0 77.7 35.2 3.16 1.98 2.87 1,225

71 94.1 0.0 287 0.0 0.0 17.64 14.2 64.5 78.6 35.6 3.20 2.01 2.70 1,300

72 94.0 0.0 287 0.0 0.0 17.64 21.3 96.5 80.0 36.3 3.25 2.04 2.87 1,500

73 93.9 9.0 288 49.6 62.5 17.68 22.7 102.9 81.5 37.0 3.31 2.08 3.31 1,580

74 93.8 40.0 290 50.2 63.2 17.84 22.8 103.0 83.0 37.6 3.34 2.10 3.48 1,615

75 93.7 66.0 295 50.4 63.5 18.12 22.8 103.2 84.5 38.3 3.35 2.10 3.56 1,630

76 93.6 75.5 299 50.6 63.7 18.44 22.8 103.4 86.0 39.0 3.35 2.10 3.59 1,645

77 93.5 81.0 305 50.7 63.9 18.77 22.9 103.6 87.5 39.7 3.34 2.10 3.63 1,655

78 93.4 84.0 310 50.7 63.9 19.12 22.9 103.8 88.9 40.3 3.34 2.10 3.65 1,665

79 93.3 84.0 316 50.8 64.0 19.48 23.0 104.0 90.4 41.0 3.33 2.10 3.67 1,675

80 93.2 83.8 321 50.8 64.0 19.83 23.0 104.1 91.9 41.7 3.33 2.09 3.69 1,680

81 93.1 83.5 327 50.8 64.0 20.17 23.0 104.1 93.4 42.4 3.32 2.09 3.70 1,685

82 93.0 83.0 332 50.8 64.0 20.52 23.0 104.1 94.9 43.1 3.32 2.09 3.72 1,690

83 92.8 82.5 337 50.8 64.0 20.86 23.0 104.1 96.4 43.7 3.32 2.09 3.73 1,695

84 92.7 82.0 343 50.8 64.0 21.20 23.0 104.1 97.9 44.4 3.31 2.08 3.74 1,700

85 92.5 81.5 348 50.8 64.0 21.54 23.0 104.1 99.4 45.1 3.31 2.08 3.75 1,700

86 92.4 81.0 353 50.8 64.0 21.88 23.0 104.1 100.9 45.8 3.31 2.08 3.75 1,705

87 92.2 80.5 358 50.8 64.0 22.21 23.0 104.1 102.4 46.4 3.30 2.08 3.76 1,705

88 92.1 80.0 364 50.8 64.0 22.54 23.0 104.1 103.8 47.1 3.30 2.08 3.76 1,710

89 92.0 79.5 369 50.8 64.0 22.87 23.0 104.1 105.3 47.8 3.30 2.08 3.76 1,710

90 91.8 79.0 374 50.8 64.0 23.19 23.0 104.1 106.8 48.4 3.30 2.08 3.77 1,710

91 91.7 78.5 379 50.8 64.0 23.51 23.0 104.1 108.3 49.1 3.30 2.08 3.77 1,710

92 91.5 78.0 384 50.9 64.1 23.84 23.0 104.1 109.7 49.8 3.30 2.08 3.77 1,715

93 91.4 77.5 389 50.9 64.1 24.15 23.0 104.1 111.2 50.4 3.30 2.08 3.77 1,715

94 91.2 77.0 394 50.9 64.1 24.47 23.0 104.1 112.7 51.1 3.30 2.08 3.78 1,715

95 91.1 76.5 399 50.9 64.1 24.78 23.0 104.1 114.1 51.8 3.30 2.08 3.78 1,715

96 90.9 76.0 403 50.9 64.1 25.09 23.0 104.1 115.6 52.4 3.30 2.08 3.78 1,715

97 90.8 75.5 408 50.9 64.1 25.40 23.0 104.1 117.1 53.1 3.30 2.08 3.78 1,715

98 90.6 75.0 413 50.9 64.1 25.70 23.0 104.1 118.5 53.7 3.30 2.08 3.78 1,715

99 90.5 74.5 418 50.9 64.1 26.01 23.0 104.1 120.0 54.4 3.30 2.08 3.78 1,715

100 90.4 74.0 422 50.9 64.1 26.31 23.0 104.1 121.4 55.1 3.30 2.09 3.78 1,720

101 90.2 73.5 427 50.9 64.1 26.60 23.0 104.1 122.9 55.7 3.30 2.09 3.79 1,720

102 90.1 73.0 432 50.9 64.1 26.90 23.0 104.1 124.3 56.4 3.30 2.09 3.79 1,720

103 89.9 72.5 436 50.9 64.1 27.19 23.0 104.1 125.8 57.0 3.30 2.09 3.79 1,720

104 89.8 72.0 441 50.9 64.1 27.48 23.0 104.1 127.2 57.7 3.30 2.09 3.79 1,720

105 89.7 71.5 445 50.9 64.1 27.77 23.0 104.1 128.6 58.3 3.30 2.09 3.79 1,720

106 89.5 71.0 450 50.9 64.1 28.06 23.0 104.1 130.1 59.0 3.31 2.10 3.79 1,720

107 89.4 70.5 454 50.9 64.1 28.34 23.0 104.1 131.5 59.6 3.31 2.10 3.79 1,720

108 89.3 70.0 458 50.9 64.1 28.62 23.0 104.1 132.6 60.3 3.31 2.10 3.79 1,720

109 89.1 69.5 463 50.9 64.1 28.90 23.0 104.1 134.4 60.9 3.31 2.10 3.79 1,720

110 89.0 69.0 467 50.9 64.1 29.17 23.0 104.1 135.8 61.6 3.31 2.10 3.79 1,720

NOTE: Above performance objectives are based on actual field results of top performing flocks under excellent management conditions and fed according to the suggested rations in the management guide. Under less favorable management conditions, lower feed quality and temperatures, egg production may be lower and feed intake higher. Decreasing or increasing temperatures in the second half of lay and/or adjusting nutrient levels can achieve a higher or lower egg weight. The performance goals and specifications set forth in no way constitute a WARRANTY or GUARANTEE EXPRESSED or IMPLIED OF PERFORMANCE, HEALTH, MERCHANTABILITY or TOLERANCE TO A DISEASE.

27


0

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50

55

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65

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100

18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80Age - wks

%

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75.0

100.0

125.0

150.0

175.0

200.0

225.0

250.0

275.0

300.0

325.0

350.0

375.0

400.0

425.0

450.0

475.0

500.0HH Eggs

% Livability % Production H.D. Egg Wt - grms Grms Feed/Bird/Day Grms Body Wt H.H. Eggs

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ms F

eed/

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d 2,000 1,750 1,500 1,250 1,000

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ody

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DEKALB WHITE Production Goals – Metric Standards


PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES DEKALB WHITE (METRIC)

AGE LIVABI HEN EGGS WEIGHT KGS FEED KGS/ BODY X LARGE LARGE MEDIUM SMALL IN LITY DAY HEN GRAMS EGGS GRAMS CUM KGS WEIGHT OVER 63-73 53-63 UNDER

WKS % % HOUSED EGG CUM BIRD KGS EGGS GRAMS 73 GRAMS GRAMS GRAMS 53 GRAMS 18 99.9 0.0 0.0 75.0 0.5 1.295 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 19 99.8 3.0 0.2 45.0 0.01 82.0 1.1 87.30 1.345 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 20 99.7 15.0 1.2 46.4 0.06 89.0 1.7 33.19 1.410 0.0 0.0 20.0 80.0 21 99.6 45.0 4.4 49.1 0.21 97.0 2.4 10.75 1.455 0.0 1.0 32.0 67.0 22 99.5 78.0 9.8 51.3 0.48 99.0 3.1 6.16 1.495 0.0 2.4 43.6 54.0 23 99.4 88.0 16.0 53.6 0.81 100.0 3.8 4.57 1.525 0.0 5.0 47.0 48.0 24 99.3 91.0 22.3 55.2 1.16 100.5 4.5 3.81 1.555 0.0 8.0 50.0 42.0 25 99.2 92.5 28.7 56.3 1.52 101.0 5.2 3.37 1.580 0.0 11.0 54.0 35.0 26 99.1 93.7 35.2 57.3 1.89 101.5 5.9 3.08 1.600 0.0 15.0 55.0 30.0 27 99.0 94.0 41.7 58.5 2.27 102.0 6.6 2.88 1.605 0.0 18.0 57.0 25.0 28 98.9 94.2 48.3 59.2 2.66 102.3 7.3 2.73 1.160 0.0 21.0 60.0 19.0 29 98.8 94.3 54.8 59.9 3.05 102.3 8.0 2.61 1.615 0.1 24.2 61.0 14.7 30 98.7 94.5 61.3 60.4 3.44 102.3 8.7 2.52 1.619 0.2 27.0 60.0 12.8 31 98.6 94.3 67.9 60.7 3.83 102.5 9.4 2.44 1.623 0.3 29.7 60.0 10.0 32 98.5 94.2 74.4 61.1 4.23 102.5 10.1 2.38 1.628 0.4 32.6 59.0 8.0 33 98.4 94.2 80.8 61.5 4.63 102.5 10.8 2.33 1.633 0.5 34.5 59.0 6.0 34 98.3 94.1 87.3 61.9 5.03 102.7 11.6 2.29 1.638 0.6 35.4 59.0 5.0 35 98.2 94.0 93.8 62.1 5.44 102.7 12.3 2.25 1.640 0.7 37.3 58.0 4.0 36 98.1 93.8 100.2 62.5 5.84 102.7 13.0 2.21 1.640 0.8 38.2 58.0 3.0 37 98.0 93.6 106.7 62.6 6.24 102.8 13.7 2.18 1.645 0.9 39.1 58.0 2.0 38 97.9 93.4 113.1 62.9 6.64 102.8 14.4 2.16 1.645 1.0 41.0 57.0 1.0 39 97.8 93.2 119.5 63.0 7.04 102.8 15.1 2.13 1.650 1.1 41.0 57.0 0.9 40 97.7 93.0 125.8 63.3 7.45 102.9 15.8 2.11 1.650 1.2 41.0 57.0 0.8 41 97.6 92.6 132.2 63.5 7.85 102.9 16.5 2.10 1.655 1.3 41.9 56.0 0.8 42 97.5 92.2 138.5 63.5 8.25 102.9 17.2 2.08 1.655 1.4 42.9 55.0 0.7 43 97.4 91.8 144.7 63.5 8.65 102.9 17.9 2.06 1.655 1.5 43.8 54.0 0.7 44 97.3 91.4 151.0 63.6 9.04 102.9 18.6 2.05 1.655 1.7 44.6 53.0 0.7 45 97.2 91.0 157.2 63.6 9.44 102.9 19.3 2.04 1.660 1.8 45.6 52.0 0.6 46 97.1 90.6 163.3 63.8 9.83 102.9 20.0 2.03 1.660 1.9 46.5 51.0 0.6 47 97.0 90.1 169.5 63.8 10.22 102.9 20.7 2.02 1.660 2.0 47.4 50.0 0.6 48 96.9 89.6 175.5 63.9 10.61 102.9 21.4 2.01 1.660 2.1 48.3 49.0 0.6 49 96.8 89.1 181.6 63.9 10.99 102.9 22.1 2.01 1.665 2.2 49.2 48.0 0.6 50 96.7 88.6 187.6 64.0 11.38 102.9 22.8 2.00 1.665 2.4 50.0 47.0 0.6 51 96.6 88.1 193.5 64.0 11.76 102.9 23.5 1.99 1.665 2.5 50.9 46.0 0.6 52 96.5 87.6 199.5 64.0 12.14 102.9 24.2 1.99 1.665 2.6 51.0 45.8 0.6 53 96.4 87.1 205.4 64.0 12.52 102.9 24.9 1.99 1.670 2.7 52.0 44.8 0.5 54 96.3 86.6 211.2 64.0 12.89 102.9 25.6 1.98 1.670 2.8 53.0 43.7 0.5 55 96.2 86.1 217.0 64.0 13.26 102.9 26.3 1.98 1.670 3.0 53.0 43.5 0.5 56 96.1 85.5 222.8 64.0 13.63 102.9 27.0 1.98 1.670 3.1 54.0 42.4 0.5 57 96.0 85.0 228.5 64.0 14.00 102.9 27.6 1.97 1.675 3.3 54.0 42.2 0.5 58 95.9 84.5 234.2 64.0 14.36 102.9 28.3 1.97 1.675 3.4 55.0 41.1 0.5 59 95.8 84.0 239.8 64.0 14.72 102.9 29.0 1.97 1.675 3.5 55.0 41.0 0.5 60 95.7 83.5 245.4 64.0 15.08 102.9 29.7 1.97 1.675 3.5 56.0 40.0 0.5 61 95.6 83.0 251.0 64.1 15.44 102.9 30.4 1.97 1.680 3.6 56.0 40.0 0.4 62 95.5 82.5 256.5 64.1 15.79 102.9 31.1 1.97 1.680 3.6 56.0 40.0 0.4 63 95.4 82.0 262.0 64.1 16.14 102.9 31.8 1.97 1.680 3.6 57.0 39.0 0.4 64 95.3 81.5 267.4 64.1 16.49 102.9 32.5 1.97 1.680 3.6 57.0 39.0 0.4 65 95.2 81.0 272.8 64.1 16.83 102.9 33.2 1.97 1.685 3.6 57.0 39.0 0.4 66 95.1 80.5 278.2 64.1 17.18 102.9 33.8 1.97 1.685 3.7 57.0 39.0 0.3 67 95.0 80.0 283.5 64.1 17.52 102.9 34.5 1.97 1.685 3.7 58.0 38.0 0.3 68 94.9 79.5 288.8 64.1 17.86 102.9 35.2 1.97 1.685 3.7 58.0 38.0 0.3 69 94.8 79.0 294.0 64.1 18.19 102.9 35.9 1.97 1.690 3.7 58.0 38.0 0.3 70 94.7 78.5 299.2 64.1 18.53 102.9 36.6 1.97 1.690 3.7 59.0 37.0 0.3 71 94.6 78.0 304.4 64.1 18.86 102.9 37.3 1.97 1.690 3.8 59.0 37.0 0.2 72 94.5 77.5 309.5 64.1 19.19 102.9 37.9 1.97 1.690 3.8 59.0 37.0 0.2 73 94.4 77.0 314.6 64.1 19.52 102.9 38.6 1.98 1.695 3.8 60.0 36.0 0.2 74 94.3 76.5 319.7 64.1 19.84 102.9 39.3 1.98 1.695 3.8 60.0 36.0 0.2 75 94.2 76.0 324.7 64.1 20.16 102.9 40.0 1.98 1.695 3.8 60.0 36.0 0.2 76 94.1 75.5 329.7 64.1 20.48 102.9 40.7 1.98 1.695 3.9 60.0 36.0 0.1 77 94.0 75.0 334.6 64.1 20.80 102.9 41.3 1.99 1.700 3.9 61.0 35.0 0.1 78 93.9 74.5 339.5 64.1 21.11 102.9 42.0 1.99 1.700 3.9 61.0 35.0 0.1 79 93.8 74.0 344.4 64.1 21.43 102.9 42.7 1.99 1.700 3.9 61.0 35.0 0.1 80 93.7 73.5 349.2 64.1 21.73 102.9 43.4 1.99 1.700 3.9 61.0 35.0 0.1

NOTE: Above performance objectives are based on actual field results of top performing flocks under excellent management conditions and fed according to the suggested rations in the management guide. Under less favorable management conditions, lower feed quality and temperatures, egg production may be lower and feed intake higher. Decreasing or increasing temperatures in the second half of lay and/or adjusting nutrient levels can achieve a higher or lower egg weight. The performance goals and specifications set forth in no way constitute a WARRANTY or GUARANTEE EXPRESSED or IMPLIED OF PERFORMANCE, HEALTH, MERCHANTABILITY or TOLERANCE TO A DISEASE.

29

dekalb white management guide (1)

Documents

weeks us

weeks hen

body weight average

body weight uniformity

dekalb white pullet

eggs livability

hh egg mass feeddozen

performance goals